Things To Do in Los Angeles

Visiting Los Angeles

You can use this Los Angeles Guide to learn more about the city, and discover local hot spots from an L.A. native.

I grew up in Los Angeles, and have lived there most of my life. Los Angeles gets a bad rap from a lot of people. Here's my theory why.

L.A. is a very big, vast sprawling place.

When I say L.A., I'm not referring to Los Angeles County. I'm referring to the City of Los Angeles, which is big, but not nearly as big as L.A. county.

The city does not include Anaheim, where Disneyland is or Burbank, where Universal Studios is. They're both fun place and I love them. But they're not in L.A., so they're not included in my itineraries.

Royce Hall, located at UCLA in Westwood, showcases the arts in Southern California, and is easily accessible via transportation options provided by the Metro, highlighting the intersection of sports, geography, universities, and entertainment in Los Angeles County.

Grab a french dip at Philippe in downtown LA before a Dodgers game.

Los Angeles is incredibly spread out, so ints not the type of city where you're likely to stumble onto a great restaurant or a cool night spot.

You need to know where you're going, you need a reservation, and may need to be "on the list."

Traffic in Los Angeles during rush hour is grueling. There's no public transportation worth a damn and relying on cabs is prohibitively expensive. You're going to need car. And most importantly, you're going to need to plan out your days to avoid getting stuck in gridlock.

These lists include many of my personal favorite places, restaurants, and points of interest in Los Angeles.

I've organized special events for clients at some of these venues, but they're also the places I go when we want to have a little fun.

L.A. Local's Guide

Since a got married and became a dad, I don't get out as much at night anymore, so the Night Spots may be a little out of date. The best advice I have for you though as at this first link below:

Things to do in Los Angeles - Maps with suggested spots to visit in Los Angeles, as featured in the Amateur Traveler Podcast.

Musso & Franks on Hollywood Blvd. was featured in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino. Is was established in 1919.

Best Restaurants - Where are the best places to eat in Los Angeles? You won't find these in any guide book.

Best Dive Restaurants - Where are the best dives to eat at in Los Angeles? These are absolutely, unequivocally the best.

Best Golf - Which are the best public golf courses in Los Angeles? Click here to find out where to go for 18 holes in Los Angeles.

Night Spots - Where are the best places to hang, meet interesting people, and party in Los Angeles? These the best watering holes Los Angeles has to offer.

Best Places to Launch - Want a great special event venue in Los Angeles? If it isn't at the right location, it may not be as successful as you'd like. These are some of our favorite special events venues.

Watts Towers in South Central Los Angeles County are well worth a visit.

People's Guide to Los Angeles *New* - I have also spent a good deal of time in South Central Los Angeles County.

South LA, not far from Compton, is where a number of celebrities came from, including Ice Cube, film director John Singleton and athletes Andre Miller and Baron Davis.

Avila's Mi Ranchito in South Central Los Angeles Couty.

I'm not going to give you a whole section on what to do and see there, but Watts Towers and  Ray's BBQ are my favorite points of interest.

Or if you want to try some amazing. homestyle Mexican food stop by Avila's Mi Ranchito, which has a full bar, and try the carnitas and ask for them "El Doralito" which means golden brown.